PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1517, 13 August 1912, Page 6

PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of tho Petone Borough Council was held last evening, the Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) presiding. Councillors present were Messrs. Short, List, Wakeham, Brocklobank, Cox, Lodder, Burridgo, Trncman, and Piper. P.egarding the effect which tho resumption of lands by tho Government for workers' dwellings has on the ratepayers, a letter was received from the l'rimo Minister stating tliat ho is taking steps to inquire into tho position. Tho Commissioner of Crown Lands wroto in regard to tho Nornhindalo Settlement, advising the council that the Land Hoard, on July '26, had resolved to allow tho council six months, as from August 1, to complete the purchase of tho Crown lands in tho Normandale Settlement. Failing this, the Department would offer these lands for 6ottlement in such areas and on such terms as might be regarded as most suitable. No application from tho council for the purchase of theso lands would bo considered after six months. The letter was received. Some months ago a horso belonging to an officer of tho Defence Forces was found wandering in .the borough, and tho animal was impounded. The officer paid the fee for release under protest, and ever since a good deal of correspondence has taken place between tho council and the Defence authorities, the sum involved being 13s. The Municipal Association of New Zealand has now supplied the council with information on the matter. Iu this communication, it was stated that, if the horse was tho property of tho Government, it could not be legally impounded; and if it was tho property of tho officer it was also exempt from impounding, under Section 9 of the Defence Act, 1909. The sum paid to the council should consequently bo refunded. Tho letter was received, and held over for further consideration. . Legal opinion was received from a local firm of solicitors on the question of "votins where interested." Tho rcatter was held over for discussion at a later meeting. The engineer reported that supplies of coal for the gas works had been coming to hand fairly regularly, aHhough during recent rough weather there was a considerable demand on tho stock. The engineer also reported that numbers of lowlying properties had, during the wet weather, boen covered with water. Ho recommended that the sections in Hichmond Street be filled up, as they lie 3in. lower than the top of the culvert. Other damage, of a minor nature, had been repaired. Councillor Brocklebank moved:—"That the plans for _ alteration to the embankment to provide space for two football grounds on tho oval be proceeded with." After some discussion, the iiuhon was lost.